CF Racing has announced its entry to the 2013 Cooper Tires British F3 International Series, with Chinese racer Sun Zheng behind the wheel of their National class Dallara.
Chinese driver Zheng will race in the UK for the first time in a Dallara F308 – equipped with a Neil Brown Engineering Mugen Honda powerplant – in the National Class, the 21-year-old having already completed three successful test sessions for his new team, CF Racing.
The Welsh squad, managed by former British Formula 3 competitor Hywel Lloyd, will team up with Chinese team KRC, Lloyd saying: “It’s worked out really well. Considering Zheng has never driven in the UK before these tests, we’re really very pleased. He’s had experience of single-seater before and we’re looking forward to help him develop and we’re confident he will progress with us.”
He further commented: “Timing wise things couldn’t have been better. The extra time that the revised start to British F3 has given us meant we could get organized and put this deal with KRC together. Ultimately they’ll provide us with drivers who are keen to get experience in Europe and are ready for the big challenge that you get racing over here.
“We’re a young team and we need time to build, so this year will allow us that. We’ve had a lot of interest and the tracks we’re visiting, all ex or current GP circuits really help make conversations a lot easier. We’re hoping to announce a second driver for the other car soon as well.”
Zheng and his new squad add hope to the series which came close to vanishing for 2013 due to lack of entries, eith the series hoping to be joined by International entries from the German F3 and F3 Open championships who are eligible to participate, with larger grids expected especially for the European rounds at Spa Francorchamps and Nurburgring.
British F3 Championship manager, Benjamin Franassovici, added: “It’s great to have CF on-board for the new season and to be actually talking about what can be expected this year on track. We’ve been working hard to provide a platform that is of interest to teams across Europe, and we have a number of entries we’re looking at announcing in the coming fortnight from existing teams and also new ones. With the news that both races on Sunday will receive live coverage on Motors TV, we are confident this will kick start our F3 season.”
Zheng’s first race action in the UK takes place on May 25/26, when the four-event British F3 season gets underway at Silverstone circuit.